NWSL’s matchweek 22 has come and gone, but not without more drama, chaos, and upsets.
With only five games left on the schedule, where do teams stack up in the playoff push?
All For XI’s latest power rankings:
1. Gotham FC | 2-1 win at North Carolina Courage
Jordynn Dudley.
The rookie forward was bound to have a performance like this and it could not have come at a better time for Gotham FC. She powered them to a 2-1 road win at NC Courage with a brace, including the game-winning goal.
The only question that remains for the shield and championship favorites: Can the Bats find consistency in front of goal the rest of the way?
2. San Diego Wave | 2-0 win vs KC Current
The San Diego Wave have now beaten every other team in the top eight of NWSL table, thanks to their latest 2-0 win over Kansas City Current.
They are ranked No. 1 in xG differential and lowest xG conceded.
What’s the difference this season? Their attack has found enough firepower and consistency – fourth in xG generated.
The only concern? Trinity Byars and Ludmila haven’t scored in three and four games.
3. Washington Spirit (+1) | 3-0 win at Chicago Stars
After last week’s wake-up call, the Washington Spirit responded with an emphatic 3-0 win over Chicago Stars.
What’s new? Trinity Rodman scoring another game-winner.
This team has everything needed to lift trophies at the end of the season, but can they get healthy for the final stretch of the season?
4. Angel City FC (+6) | 3-0 win at Utah Royals
Angel City FC have scored 2+ goals in five straight and 3+ goals in three straight games including their latest 3-0 road win over Utah Royals.
They are firing on all cylinders and now have a five match unbeaten streak.
ACFC have passed Seattle Reign and KC Current in one weekend and are now sixth in the playoff race.
Can they finish the job and recreate the magical 2023 run that got them into the postseason? Interim head coach Leif Gunnar Smerud is doing one heck of a job leading the way.
5. Portland Thorns (+3) | 4-1 win at Orlando Pride
A much-needed win for the Portland Thorns as they vanquished many downward trends.
PTFC held onto a lead, didn’t concede late, and found goals in open play.
Morgan Weaver scored an absolute screamer for her first goal since returning from injury and Nina Nijstad scored her first NWSL goal. Sophia Wilson also led the way with three goal contributions.
If they can put it together defensively or add help to the backline, this team could make a lot of noise…
6. Utah Royals (-3) | 0-3 loss vs ACFC
Two early red cards derailed any chance for URFC to earn a result.
What’s the main issue? The Utah Royals have struggled to find consistency, alternating wins and losses over the past ten games.
7. North Carolina Courage (-2) | 1-2 loss vs Gotham FC
NC Courage have struggled against the elite sides all season long and it continued in a 1-2 loss against Gotham FC.
Playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,551 at WakeMed Soccer Park, they appeared to equalize in the 15th minute and 47th minute on goals from Evelyn Ijeh and Ashley Sanchez, but both of them were ruled offside.
The only top four table win they have all season? A 4-3 win over Washington Spirit.
Will North Carolina be able to earn another major win ahead of the playoffs?
8. Kansas City Current (-1) | 0-2 loss at San Diego Wave
How is the NWSL’s leading attack (first in xG generated), and second in xG differential, only eighth in the table?
KC Current are 3W-9L-1D away from CPKC stadium…
Can Kansas City flip the script on the road and hold on to a playoff spot?
9. Denver Summit | 2-1 win vs Seattle Reign
In this five-match unbeaten run, someone new has stepped up every single week.
In the massive 2-1 win over Seattle Reign, Delanie Sheehan and Tash Flint led the way.
Could head coach Nick Cushing lead Denver Summit FC to the playoffs and become just the third expansion side to accomplish this feat?
10. Seattle Reign (-4) | 1-2 loss at Denver Summit
The worst case scenario for the Seattle Reign was to drop back-to-back matches against Angel City FC and Denver Summit FC… They’ve managed to do just that. In those two losses, they’ve only generated an xG of 0.43 and 0.73, which simply, won’t get it done.
Laura Harvey’s side has now dropped down to 9th, a point below the playoff line and only two ahead of the NWSL expansion side.
11. Houston Dash | 2-1 win at Boston Legacy
This time, it was the veterans that got it done for Houston Dash, helping snap a four-match losing streak.
Danny Colaprico started the scoring and Messiah Bright called game.
If Angela Hucles Mangano can surround her talented young core with the right head coach and veterans, this team has a chance to contend as soon as 2027.
12. Orlando Pride (-1) | 1-4 loss vs Portland Thorns
The first loss for interim head coach Yolanda Thomas.
Orlando Pride fought back with a terrific final 15 minutes of the first half and start of the second, but ran out of steam at the end.
The bright spot? GK Cosette Morché made the best saves from the weekend.
13. Bay FC (+1) | 2-0 win vs Racing Louisville
The win snapped a four-match losing streak for goalscorers Alex Pfeiffer and Karlie Lema, and head coach Emma Coates.
Star goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz has reached over 100 saves on the season and should be seen as a franchise cornerstone moving forward.
The biggest news for Bay FC? The appointment of Paul Green as their new Chief Football Officer.
14. Boston Legacy (-1) | 1-2 loss vs Houston Dash
Another learning lesson for head coach Filipa Patão and Boston Legacy.
They came into the match with their best win of the season 3-0 over Washington Spirit, and could not match that intensity in a 1-2 home loss vs Houston Dash.
These are the growing pains that will continue to persists a bit longer for the expansion side.
The positive? Aïssata Traoré reached double-digit goals and continues to star.
15. Racing Louisville | 0-2 loss vs Bay FC
Coming off four straight wins, Racing Louisville have now dropped five consecutive matches…
The most pressing concern? The future of the club…
16. Chicago Stars | 0-3 loss vs Washington Spirit
After a solid result against Portland Thorns at Providence Park, the Chicago Stars came back down to Earth versus Washington Spirit.
A lot of work ahead for Vlatko Andonovski and the Chicago Stars franchise.
